[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14074]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          A TEAM OF CHAMPIONS

  Mr. DASCHLE. Madam President, in recent weeks, thousands of students 
have received their diplomas and commenced a new phase of life. For the 
Class of 2003 at my alma mater, one of the enduring memories will be 
the national championship won by our women's basketball team, and I 
would like to take this opportunity to recognize that outstanding 
accomplishment.
  South Dakota is a sparsely populated State known for its vast open 
spaces and cold winter nights. Yet on most Fridays and Saturdays, 
thousands of people make the trip to Frost Arena--named not after the 
winter temperatures in Brookings, but after longtime coach and 
professor Reuben ``Jack'' Frost. Inside Frost Arena, they have come to 
expect some of the best basketball played in Division II of the 
National Collegiate Athletic Association.
  This championship team came to South Dakota State University from 
communities--large and small, urban and rural--that dot the Upper 
Midwest. They arrived on campus, like so many of us, holding the 
highest aspirations for themselves.
  In 2002, the SDSU Jackrabbits reached the Division II national 
semifinals. On March 29, 2003, Coach Aaron Johnston and his players won 
the Division II national championship with a 65-50 win over Northern 
Kentucky University, capping an incredible 32-3 season.
  For years to come, SDSU players, fans, and students will recall the 
excitement of that night. Whether you recall the moment as a player on 
the court, a follower in the stands--or a fan who watched the game on 
ESPN2--the excitement of that night will long be remembered as a 
highlight in SDSU's history of athletic successes. Our memories of that 
night will forever remind us why we are proud to call ourselves 
Jackrabbits.
  South Dakota State University, buoyed by its alumni's successes over 
its 122-year history, proudly boasts: ``You can go anywhere from 
here.'' On a basketball court in St. Joseph, MO, in front of a 
nationally televised audience, these individuals offered further proof 
that there are no limits and no boundaries to what a person can 
accomplish at South Dakota State.
  Madam President, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting these 
young women and their coaches on this remarkable achievement. I am 
proud to request that the 2002-2003 South Dakota State University 
women's basketball team's roster be recorded in the Congressional 
Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

       10: Stacie Cizek, G/F, 5-10, Jr., Omaha, Nebraska; 12: 
     Stephanie Bolden, G, 5-6, So., Marshall, Minnesota; 14: 
     Brenda Davis, G/F, 5-11, Jr., Colton, South Dakota; 20: 
     Heather Sieler, G, 5-6, Fr., Huron, South Dakota; 24: Megan 
     Otte, G, 5-7, So., Grand Island, Nebraska; 30: Brooke 
     Dickmeyer, G/F, 5-9, So., Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
       34: Melissa Pater, F, 5-11, Sr., Holland, Minnesota; 40: 
     Dianna Pavek, G/F, 5-8, So., Ivanhoe, Minnesota; 42: Shannon 
     Schlagel, F/C, 6-0, So., Raymond, South Dakota; 50: Karly 
     Hegge, C, 6-1, Sr., Baltic, South Dakota; 52: Sarita DeBoer, 
     C, 6-2, So., Huron, South Dakota; 54: Christina Gilbert, C, 
     6-2, Fr., Stillwater, Minnesota.
       Head Coach: Aaron Johnston, Assistant Coach: Laurie Melum, 
     Graduate Assistant: Sheila Roux, Senior Women's 
     Administrator: Nancy Neiber, Student Assistant: Jamie Nelson, 
     Student Assistant: Chris Marquardt.

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